CARE OF HANDBELLS

Following a few simple "do's and don'ts" will extend the life of your bells:

Do handle the bells with care

The metal is necessarily brittle and will not stand rough handling or dropping on the floor.

Don't touch the metal surface unneccessarily

We send out the bells with a very high polish, and this can only be maintained by an occasional rub with a clean dry and soft chamois leather. Moisture from fingers causes local tarnishing.

Do use metal polish or impregnated cloths

to remove any tarnish that the leather wil not. Metal polish two or three times a year will do no harm.

Don't clean the bells with abrasives

If you must use a buffing machine, use a soft mop or jewellers' rouge. Nothing coarser.

Do store your bells in a clean, dry place.

Moisture and light will tarnish them.

Don't remove felt buffers from clappers

They are fitted to the larger bells (usually 18G and down), and are graded to give the finest tonal response.

Do apply a spot of a light oil lubricant

either side of the clapper where it swings on the nylon staple pin. Only very occasionally, if they dry and rattle slightly, and only a tiny drop.

Don't stand large bells mouth downwards

22C and larger are heavy bells and you may set the springs out of adjustment, or damage the clapper pegs and felts.

Do grip the handles close up to the leather caps

when playing. We take special care to make a smooth finish flush to the rivets for this purpose, and proper handling will lengthen the life of the handles indefinitely.

Don't pack the bells jumbled in a box

where they will get scratched and the handles and clappers damaged. We can supply fitted cases tailored to any range of bells up to the full five octaves.

Do remember

that we enjoyed crafting these bells. Part of us goes out with them.